The Good and bad in Potentially Acquiring Free Agent WR DeAndre Hopkins

Cleveland Browns could have an interesting choice on their hands if they really are serious about signing DeAndre Hopkins.

Author:
Brandon Little
Publish date:
May 30, 2023 7:54 PM EDT

In this story:

Cleveland Browns

If the Cleveland Browns are serious about potentially signing free agent WR DeAndre Hopkins as reports suggest, there could be plenty of risk for the potential reward.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer released a price that highlighted the good and bad that could come from the former All-Pro player. Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals last week after they were unable to trade the contract attached to him.

There is some belief that Hopkins is no longer the same player, despite recording over 700 recovering yards last season in nine games. The former Cardinal was on pace for over 1,350 receiving yards in a full 17-game season.

“He can’t run anymore,” one source said in the report. “Does not love to practice, I can’t imagine that’ll get any better. And when things don’t go well, you’re always gonna be leery, All right, what kind of drama are we gonna get from this guy? When things are great, he’s great. When things go south, his true colors show a little bit.”

Cleveland dealt with the uncertainty and character concerns with WR Odell Beckham Jr. before he was eventually released. At the time, Cleveland took a big swing on OBJ and it never worked out. That’s not something the Browns would want again, especially when you add in that they are a significantly better team now.

Another piece in the report laid out what the numbers showed last season, that Hopkins is still a good player.

“He’s still a good player. Good route runner, a big, physical target that can play a ball in the air. He’s still a threat.

Still great hands, he is not going to separate, not much of a deep threat, but very strong, and makes contested catches as well as anyone in the NFL,” the AFC exec said.”

The concerns of him not being much of a guy that likes to practice were alleviated a bit, due to his ability to still be ready when Sunday comes around.

“But he always shows up on game day. He’s gonna have to go to a team that knows what they’re getting. You cannot expect a perfect-attendance type of worker.”

Before the last two seasons, Hopkins had missed just two games in eight seasons. He’s missed 15 games in the last two seasons due to a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. That’s one major concern for Hopkins, will he stay on the field?

The Browns wouldn’t need Hopkins to be a star or to even record 1,000 yards necessarily. But the price he may come at could be similar to Beckham’s $15 million he got from the Baltimore Ravens over the course of a season. At that price, you’ll want him to contribute and be available.

All in all, it would be a risk for Cleveland to bring in Deshaun Watson’s former teammate. But if they decide to push all chips in, it may be one that they decide to roll with and see what happens.

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